Duplex envelope



Nov.v 25, 1924.

E. J. LEWIS ET AL DUPLEX ENVELOPE Filed Feb. 5. 1921 2 sheets-she@` 1 Fatentsd Nov. 25, 1924.

EMANUEL J. LEWS AND JAMES MCGREEVY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DUPLEX ENVELOPE.

Application filed February 3, 1921.

To @ZZ whom 'muy concern.'

Be it known that we, FMANUEL J. LEWIS and Jarras G. lilotinnnvr, citizens of vthe United States, and residents ot' Chicago, in the county o't Cook and State ot Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Inr provements in Duplex Envelopes, ot' which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in duplex envelopes, and more particularly to envelopes constructed to ,provide in a single container, matter which has been designated by the Post Office Department to be of different classes, and therefore subject 'to different rates of postage. An envelope oi? this character is used to transmit mailable mat-ter of different classification in a single envelope; as, 'for instance, where a written let-ter, which is first class .inatteig accompanies a circular, catalog, or other printed matter coming 'within a different classification.

The object ot the vpresent invention is not only to provide an envelope adaptable for mailing purposes in the manner already suggested, but to providemeans'for making such envelopes which Will be efficient from a standpoint ot manufacture, and theretore capable of being produced at a low cost of manufacture, and further, to provide an envelope in 'such a form as to comply strictly with the regulations oit the Post Otiice Department pertaining to addressing and vstamping of matter transmitted thru the mails in the sfo-'called duplex envelopes. rFliese regulations provide that the first class matter shall be enclosed within a separate compartment from the printed orl second class matter compartment; that each compartment shall bear a postage stamp at the upper right hand corner of each compartment; that each compartment shall bear a return address at the upper lett hand corner. and that the addressees name and vaddress shall appear at least on the face of the vfirstclass compartment at the customary loca tion.

The type ot envelope embodying the invention is illustrated in the accon'ipanying drawings, there having been selected two 'forms which the envelope may assume, altho both involving the same distinctive feau tures ot construction. In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the vblank cut `from a single sheet of paper, showing the location ot the adhesive and the scored `lel to the told line el.

Seriali No. 442,221.

told lines along which the different elements are 'folded to form a complete envelope,

Fig. 2 is a view in trontelevation ot the folded envelope,

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation oi' the blank partially folded, and a portion of the rear panel broken away to show the interior construction,

Fig. l is a view in transverse section of. the envelope taken on line eiwit ot Figure 3,

Fig. is aview in lelevation corresponding to Figure l, but disclosing a modified torni of the envelope,

Fig. G is a view in front elevation of the folded envelope formed trom the blank shown yin Figure t3,

Fig. 7 is a view in 4rear elevation ot the moditied form of envelope, and n Fig. 8 is a view in longitudinal section taken on line 8 8 oi Figure 6.

Describing the general features of the env velope embodying the invention, which are common to both forms herein disclosed, the. same, in its initial torni, consists ot a blank which is cut from asingle sheet ot paper or the quality and weight ordinarily used in the manufacture oit envelopes. The blank, as it appears prior to folding, coinprises several panels and flaps, which are separated trom one another by means yot score or told lines along which the parte are folded in the operationot forming and sealing the finished envelope.

Referring first to the storm oit envelope disclosed in Figures l to inclusive, the blank, as appearing in Figure l, comprises a trout panel l, a rear panel 2, 4and an inside panel 3, these panels, when folded upon each other in the manner hereinafter to be described, forming the body of the envelope. The front and rear panels l and 2, which obviously term the front and back of the envelope, are rectangular in shape and are ot the saine size, being separated by avlongitudinal fold line a extending lengthwise of the panels. On the opposite side of the rear panel ,2, and occupying the same relative position thereto as the front panel l, is the inside panel 3, so called because it ultimately comprises a position inside of the envelope, this panel being separated from `the rear panel 2 by means of a fold line 5 extending lengthwise between the panels, and paral- Tlie inside panel is of the same length as the front and rear panels 1 and 2, but in width is considerably less than the said front and rear panels 1 and 2, suoli width being preferably expressed as from one-half to two-thirds the width of the other` panels.

Surrounding the free edges of the front panel 1 are a number of flaps which may be located and identified as follows: Extending along the upper transverse edge of the front panel 1 is a relatively large llap 6, separated from the panel 1 by the fold line 7. This flap t3, as will hereinafter be seen, closes the larger compartment of the envelope, and inasmuch as such larger compartment is to contain the printed matter, the flap is not gumined, but is provided with a suitable fastening means permitting ready access to the contents, in accordzince with the regulations of the Post Office Department. rThe fastening means disclosed consist of a hole 3 pi'inched in the flap, and a metal clip 9 inserted in the back panel at a point to engage the hole 8 when the flap (5 is folded into closed position. However, the fastening device may be applied at any convenient point in the process of manufacture, and not necessarily prior to the folding of the blank, as would appear from an examination of Figure 1. Immediately opposite the large flap 6, and extending the full 'width of the front panel 1, is a relatively narrow flap 10 separated from the front panel by means of the fold line 11. This flap, as will hereinafter appear, forms a permanent closure for the lower end of the larger compartment of the envelope, and for this reason is provided with a gunnned surface as at -12. Along the free longitudinal edge of the front panel are formed two flaps 13 and 14, the flap 13 being the longer and wider of the two, extending, as it does, substantially thruout two-thirds of the length of the front panel from the lower edge thereof, as indicated by the fold line 11 toward the upper edge indicated by the fold line 7. The shorter and narrower flap 111 extends from the upper end Aof the flap 13, to the upper edge of the front panel 1, terminating at the upper edge thereof as indicated by the fold lino y7'. As will hereinafter appear, the larger flap 13 is the sealing flap of the first class matter compartment, and therefore is provided with a gummed inner surface as at 15. rlhe flap V14, as will also be brought out, forms a permanent sealing flap, and therefore is gummed on its inner surface, as at 16. These flaps are separated from the front panel yb means of a longitudinal fold line 17 on the opposite side of the front panel 1 from the fold line 4l, and parallel. therewith. There are also strips of gum or adhesive applied to the inside surface of the front panel, altho the location of the saine will be better understood in connection with the description of the manner in which the blank is folded to forni the finished envelope.

Assuming that the blank is cut, scored and gummed in the manner just described, the operation of folding and sealing of the several flaps will be understood from the following: The first step in the folding process is to fold the inside panel 3 along the fold line 5, and over upon the rear' panel 2. This operation having been completed, the rear panel 2 with the inside panel in folded position, is folded over and upon the front panel 1, so that the parts occupy the positions as shown in full lines in Figure 3; namely, with the inside panel in tlatwise cont-act with the inner surface of the front panel, and extending lengthwise thereof thruout the outer portion thereof. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the application of the adhesive to the inside surface of the front panel may now be located with reference to the folded position of the inside panel 3. Extending longitudinally of the front panel, and substantially midway between the fold lines l and 17. is a strip of gumming 13 extending the full length of said panel, and positioned so as to have sealing contact with the free edge of the panel 3 in its final folded position. ln addition to the strip of adhesive 18 there are provided shorter strips of adhesive 19 located between the upper end portion of the strip 18 and the flap 141, the length of said strips 19 being substantially the same as said llap 111. It is therefore manifest that when the inside panel 3 is folded against the strips of adhesive 19, and the corresponding portion of the strip 18, that the same will be sealed to the front panel 1 along the free edge of the panel 3, and thruout the area intermediate the upper end portion of the adhesive strip 1.3 and the flap 141. It is to be understood, of course, that the application of the adhesive made prior to the folding operation so that the. sealing takes place simultaueonsly with the ilolding operation.

The next operation is lo fold the flaps l2 and 1li over and downwardly against the rear panel 2 in position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. In this manner the lower end of the envelope is permanently closed by means of the flap 12, and a sealing contact effected between the superimposed edges of the front and rear panels thruout the length thereof cri-extensive with the flap 111-, and adjacent the sealed area produced by the strips of gumming 19. ltis to be observed that the envelope forms a large coinpartment having an area equal to that of the front or rear panels 1 and 2, this coinpartment being open at its upper edge. and adapted to be closed by means of the flap lll) lit)

6. Furthermore, a somewhat smaller compartment is formed between the inside panel 3 and the iront panell,` this compartment beingI considerably smalier in size and con- .tined between the strip ot adhesive 1S, the inner end or the stri-ps o-'lg adhesive i9 -i9, and the corresponding;l portioi'is of the told lines 17' and il. The opening of this smaller compartment extends along the fold line 1T, and is closed by the 'Hap i3, this lap being sealed aiter the letter is inserted in the smaller compartment.

The appearance of' the enveiope after it has been linished, its contents inserted therein, and proper postage applied, is dis-- closed in Figure 2. For the purpose oit detinina` the limits oi3 the di'il'erent compa-rt ments, and for indicatitlizeir relative positions, the lines 20 and fl are preferably printed on theiront tace ot the envelope, thel presence ot these lines also determining the locati-on ct the return addresses 22, `which properly appear in the upper left hand corner ot each con-ipartinent. Simi-- larly, the outline ot the smaller or letter (',ompartn'ient determines the posit ion o'l the stamps Q3, which according' to postal regulations must be ailixed at the upper right hand corner oi each compartment.

It desired, an envelope of this charac-ter may utilize the socalled window or transparent panel feature, which eliminates the necessity of addressing the outside oi the envelope by utilizing the address appearingI on the inserted letter. This transparent panel, as indicated at 2li, may be properly located and inserted in the blank duringA the process ot' manufacture. In an envelope constructed in this manner, the use of the open panel address space is especially adaptable by reason of the location ot the opening` thru which the correspondence is inserted; that is to say, the open panel occupies the same position in a duplex envelope that it does in a single envelope, with the exception that the letter would be inserted from the lower edge rather than trom the upper edge. This diiierence, however, may be readily provided 'for by the proper location of the transparent panel 2d with reference to the address as Written or typed upon the folded letter inserted Within the letter compartment.

In Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 is illustrated a modified form oi the envelope identical to the form already described in detail; in fact, it provides an envelope ot the same shape, altho involving a different arrange 1 ment of the iaps and openings to the compartments. In the form previously described, the contents of the large compartment are inserted from the narrower side ot the envelope, and the letter inserted into the smaller compartment trom the longer side oit the envelope, Whereas in the modilied edges.

torni of' envelope, the ope-i'vhfgg,` ot the large con'rpartment is located at the edge oif the longer sideo-i the envelope, and the entrance to the letter' compartment is alone" the shorter side of the envelope. lr. order tc avoid detailed description et the inoditied form of envelope, the reife-,rence i-ni'inerals are repeated to :indicate the c rresponding parts in the modified construction, attention being directed to the following` departures in arrangement an-d disposition ot the several panels and flaps. rlhe front, rear and inside panels bear the saine relation to each other, except that the fold lines d and 5 coincide Withthe shorter edges et the panels rather than the longer edges. Similarly the iiaps 6 and 1Q, are located on opposite sides of the iront panel', but are located at the longer edges rather than the shorter The flaps 13 and ifi bear the san-ie relation to the flaps 6 and l2, and to the several panels, as before, but are located at the shorter free edge ot the iti-ont panel instead of along the longer iree edge, as in the previously de."ribed torni ot envelope. So, also, a similar disposition oi? the gununed strips 11i-l and i9 is employed, alth-o they are arranged parallel 'to the shorter sides oi the `iii-ont panel, and disposed at a greater distance apart, but With the saine function in view; namely, oi: sealingl the insite panel against the iront panel to form the letter compartment, which, it will noted, er;k

tends lengthwise oit the front panel in the saniemanner as it did before. l-l'ww-fis to be observed that the entrance to the letter compartment is now at one end thereof' rather than along the `l-\.'-"*"'li"c Mlm 1o that the letter would be insertef'l endwise into this con'ipartment instead ot lengthwise. A comparison of the Figures 2 and 6, however, Will reveal the similarity oi? the sealed envelopes, both as to shape and arrangement of the printed and Written matter thereon and the location oi the postage.

The advantage of an envelope coiistrra-ted in the manner described resides primarily in the simple and etiicient manner oi preparingl the blanks. lt is to be observed that the entire envelope is formed from a single blank, requiring only the application of the adhesive at the proper place to produce a finished envelope after the folding operation. An envelope of this character can be manufactured entirely by i'nachines, thus eliminating expensive hand labor. Furthermore, the finished envelope permits strict compliance with the requirements of the Post OHice Department Without sacriiicing adaptability of the envelope to the many uses for which it is designed.

It is obvious that certain departures and modiiications may be resorted to, such as the disposition and relation of the several flaps, and for this reason it is to be observed that the invention is not limited to the specific forms herein disclosed, except as they are described in the appended claims.

l/Ve claim as our invention:

1. A duplex envelope comprising iti-ont, rear and inside panels connected by score lines, and foldable therealong with said inside panel interposed between said :trout and rear panels, said i1 side panel being sealed along two ol' its fre-e edges to said Yt'ront panel thereby forming a separate compartment of reduced size opening along a portion of one edge of the envelope vand separate sealing liaps along said last mentioned edge, one for the Vopening to said compartment and another for permanently sealing the remaining portion of said edge.

2. A duplex envelope comprising lront and rear panels of equal size and an inside panel of reduced width, said panels being foldable along parallel score lines with said inside pa-nel between said ifront and rear panels, said inside panel being sealed to said front panel along the edge thereof parallel with the line of folding thereof, and along one edge transverse thereto, thereby formi-ng a compartment of reduced size having an opening along one edge ot the envelope and flaps along the corresponding edge of SJ said front panel, and one for sealing the opening to said compartment, and the other for permanently sealing the portion of the edge adjacent said compartment.

3. A duplex envelope formed from a blank out Jfrom a single sheet et paper, and comprising front, rear, and inside panels, foldable in super-imposed relation along parallel fold lines with said inside panel between Leidens said front and rear panels, the tree edge parallel with said 'fold lines, and one end portion of said inside panel being sealed to said front panel, flaps for closing the openings :tformed by the iree edges Iol: said front and rear panels transverse to said old lines, and flaps along the free edge of said iront panel parallel with the 'fold lines, one of said iiaps being permanently sealed over the edge adjacent said sealed end portion oi" the inside panel, and the other forming a sealing iiap for a compartment of reduced dimension formed between said inside and 'liront panels.

4c. A duplex envelope formed from a blank out from a single sheet of paper, and comprising front, rear, and inside panels, said panels being oldable in superimposed relation along parallel `told lines with said inside panel between said front and rear panels, and the free edge parallel with said fold lines, and one end portion of said inside panel being sea-led to said front panel, laps 6 and 12 for closing the openings formed along opposite edges of said iront and rear panels, and flaps along the free edge or' said front panel parallel with the fold lines, one of said flaps being permanently sealed over the rear panel and thruout the sealed end portion of the inside panel, and the other forming a sealing flap for a compartment of reduced dimension formed between said inside and front panels.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 31st day of January, A. D., 1921.

EMANUEL J. LEWIS. JAMES G. MGGREEVY. 

